Maybe a silly question...
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
Maybe a silly question...
...but not to me. I just want to know how much difference in RPM's is there between the 5 speed Heritage models and the 6 speeds? Had an '05, and often felt the need to shift up again, at highway speeds. Just wondering if the newer model 6 speeds reach the same speeds at lower RPM's, or if the final drive numbers are the same.
Currently on a Dyna Switchback, but as all Harley owners know, there is always that itch for something else (too?)... Thanks for any info here. tmp dd50
Currently on a Dyna Switchback, but as all Harley owners know, there is always that itch for something else (too?)... Thanks for any info here. tmp dd50
Last edited by dirtdreamer50; Apr 3, 2018 at 09:27 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Both the 5 and 6 speed transmissions are direct drive which means in high gear one turn input results in one turn output. For some reason many think that the 6 speed is an overdrive trans and it is not.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
Both the 5 and 6 speed transmissions are direct drive which means in high gear one turn input results in one turn output. For some reason many think that the 6 speed is an overdrive trans and it is not.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
Personally, I like the long pull between gears on the earlier four speeds, but I guess MoCo had to add more gears, to keep the engine RPM's up, and compete, at least mentally, with all the Jap bikes that had six speeds.... tp
Last edited by dirtdreamer50; Apr 3, 2018 at 10:10 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 74
From: Los Angeles
IMO, not when you do anything close to sport riding. A little gear change in a turn is much better than a huge downshift while negotiating the next bend in the road. (and I got to believe 6th gear has less RPMs, when I'm riding my Yamaha Warrior I'm always reaching for 6th gear)
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
IMO, not when you do anything close to sport riding. A little gear change in a turn is much better than a huge downshift while negotiating the next bend in the road. (and I got to believe 6th gear has less RPMs, when I'm riding my Yamaha Warrior I'm always reaching for 6th gear)
Learning to understand RPM vs speed. My Ninja 650 is doing 5K at 60 MPH. Feels high to me, but the redline is 11.5K, so at 60, I'm at about 1/3rd usable RPM. Still drives me crazy. My CB500X is even worse. Man, I love low RPM bikes. tp
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,857
Likes: 17,908
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
On my old bike, interstate riding sucked, because it felt like the engine was screaming jogging 70-75 mph.
My initial thought was to get a baker od6 to lower my rpm on the interstate and still maintain a good launch.
My research indicated that the old Evo in Stock form just didn't have what it takes to run over drive very well.
That led me to refreshing the engine, changing the cam, milling the heads, etc. to bump up the torque and horsepower in preparation for the six speed.
Something strange happened. By the time I was done with the engine, not only did it make a lot more power, it also ran smoother than it ever had. Suddenly I was able to cruise on the interstate effortlessly without the engine begging for mercy and without vibrating my fillings out. I found myself north of 90 mph frequently without noticing.
So, I ended up not getting the six speed because my bike was so much better just with the engine mods.
My initial thought was to get a baker od6 to lower my rpm on the interstate and still maintain a good launch.
My research indicated that the old Evo in Stock form just didn't have what it takes to run over drive very well.
That led me to refreshing the engine, changing the cam, milling the heads, etc. to bump up the torque and horsepower in preparation for the six speed.
Something strange happened. By the time I was done with the engine, not only did it make a lot more power, it also ran smoother than it ever had. Suddenly I was able to cruise on the interstate effortlessly without the engine begging for mercy and without vibrating my fillings out. I found myself north of 90 mph frequently without noticing.
So, I ended up not getting the six speed because my bike was so much better just with the engine mods.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 992
Likes: 143
From: eastern NC
My next thing to do to the 01 Springer is change the gear. I am told you can change 1 tooth without changing the belt and/or rear pully to reduce the RPMs. I just changed to an Andrews 21 cam with the cam chain tensioner upgrade so I have plenty of low end grunt.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,411
From: Honah Lee
Both the 5 and 6 speed transmissions are direct drive which means in high gear one turn input results in one turn output. For some reason many think that the 6 speed is an overdrive trans and it is not.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
In high gear my 14 Road King at 55 mph is close to the same rpm of my 05 Deluxe.
A 6 speed just divvies up the load through the gears more.
Personally I much prefer the shifting of a H-D five speed than the six speed. Mostly because I'm lazy.
2004 Softail 5 speed
3.21
2.21
1.57
1.23
1
2009 and 2014 6 speed
3.34
2.31
1.72
1.39
1.19
1
overall ratio to rear wheels.
2004 Softail 5 speed TC88
10.11First (low)
6.958Second
4.953Third
3.862Fourth
3.150Fifth
2009 Dyna TC96
9.312First (low)
6.421Second
4.774Third
3.926Fourth
3.279Fifth
2.790Sixth
2014 Tour 103
9.593First (low)
6.650Second
4.938Third
4.000Fourth
3.407Fifth
2.875Sixth
Changing an existing 5 speed to a 6 speed should make the bike fill lighter in the lower gears. Exactly the same in 6th as with the 5 speed, however.
Baker makes a drop in 6 speed gear set for a 5 speed box. Not sure what his ratios are. Maybe he will chime in here if we PM him.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 4, 2018 at 02:59 PM.